The Philosophy of Disco Elysium

[@santiagogallego8695]

Also, this game has Kim Kitsuragi, that's already enough grounds to buy it.

[@kybitzed3448]

I will play, read, or watch anything with Kim. Absolute legend.

[@buzztarte2603]

Flippuragi

[@santiagogallego8695]

@@buzztarte2603 Dripuragi 😳

[@MartinArgg]

Kingsuragi

[@terrestrialgmusic]

Shipuragi

[@graetestfanever1]

Ive always thought the basic philosophy of the game, whether intentional or not, is this: everything is disappointing. Life, love, history, and the ideologies you follow, or refuse to follow. Yet, every now and then, you find something truly wonderful. A little miracle in a bottle adriff on a ocean of pale disappointment. So, even if you dont know anything, even yourself, you can learn, and find those little miracles if you're lucky. The ultimate gamble, where house always wins, and the only goal is to see how long you can stay at the table.

[@Xavier-ty4jw]

An oasis of horror in a desert of ennui

[@notrivia3862]

yes, I've also thought about it this way. Like Michel Houellebecq with a little more hope

[@Drecon84]

It's really a testament to the quality of a video like this that you can mispronounce a word many times in the video (Revachol) and not be called out on it in the top 50 or so comments.

[@SmileytheSmile]

Your comment is the second on the list.

[@mawillix2018]

Yesterday I looked for a comment mentioning this and didn't find one. Today yours is on top.

[@JamrockHobo]

I cant imagine how much time this needed. Respect! And keep reading Hegel! :)

[@ifihadalifeiduseitwisely7589]

Oh shit, it's you

[@0oMRLEGo0]

I loved the vid but I think its Revachol no Rechavol

[@Haedox]

i have been searching for a video like this for a long time. good work

[@GAMOKGO]

I want to share my observation about my people's reactions to the political aspects of Disco Elysium. I am from Korea, to be exact South Korea. My country had a civil war of ideology and left divided. Communist at the north and Capitalist at the south. This very history made South Korea fearing communism and ideology to extreme degrees. Even today being a communist is a crime by the law. So in the political landscape of South Korea, there is no ideology. It's a power struggle of Two very same political parties. And more critically, people don't have a concept of ideology. the status quo is unquestionable. So to South Korean, Disco Elysium is only an acid trip, a nonsensical gibberish, a game that has no meaning what so ever. South Koreans are incapable of recognizing the intent of the game which is a discourse about ideology. When I interpreted my own views(which is similar to yours) on the game's symbolism and metaphors, the reaction of my people was surprisingly, violent denial. They refuse to accept that game is not about solving a crime. To them, the game, especially the ending is bad because of the game's fault. This made me realize that the game is ironically and probably unintentionally a political satire. It shows us how oblivious peoples are when it comes to ideology under the extreme society of capitalism. We, South Korans often criticizing our counterpart North Korans are brainwashed therefore unable to aware of the backward system of North Korea. Yet the same criticism can be applied to South Korea too. I think this is the reason why people found the ending of the game bad. Because the propaganda machine of the capitalistic status quo made so. By the way, I really liked your video. 😊

[@kybitzed3448]

Hi there! Wow, I want to thank you so much for this comment. This offers a poignant perspective on ideological discourse that is distinct from the US-centric demographic appeal of these videos (simply based on YT analytics). I am not as well-read on the Korean conflict as I would like to be but you do clearly point to the status and position of ideology (specifically it’s obscured status) under a capitalist framework. I’m happy to see that the argument made here traverses traditional US-centric discourse. I can understand the sentiment regarding South Korean perspectives on communism. Although I live in the US, my family is predominantly Hispanic, and as such, carries its own unique baggage and relationship towards socialism/communism. For many of my family and friends, the very argument articulated here was quasi-heretical. Also, your point on the game operating as a political satire is excellent. Although satire does not necessarily need to be humorous, it is apparent that Disco is satirically critiquing the entire edifice of “living in a non- or post-ideological world.” Finally, thank you I’m glad that you enjoyed the video and that it spurred this exchange!

[@Gordozinho]

@@kybitzed3448 You are of Cuban/Colombian decent aren't you? I can tell since those are the usually "gommunism bad" nationalities. Here in Brazil the political spectrum is divided in two, the ones who recognize ideology and the ones who don't. The left here is obviously the ones that understand ideology and the right doesn't, not because they're stupid mind you but because they are... well I don't know. Brazil is not for beginners and I can't really express what I feel being here, Disco elysium perfectly represents the problems we have but not the vibe, it's as if we simply don't engage with our failure, we just complain about it.

[@doncorleone1553]

Imagine unironically supporting North Korea lol

[@antonioscendrategattico2302]

@@doncorleone1553 Nobody here has, dude, you're barking up the wrong tree.

[@bobbobby475]

Of course you're from South Korea wtf. North Korea is not an option

[@alirezaesm3199]

This is the analysis of the game I've been looking for and it was a great piece. As an Iranian communist it was very surprising how much this game resonated with my experience of living after a communist revolution butchered by agents of international capital. Now I realize this is a more universal experience than I'd thought and I really hope we can come to that new ideological synthesis that we desperately need in these times.

[@C.Bastard]

Fellow Brazilian communist here. Are you atheist? How does the Iranian communists deal with the strong religious influences present in Iran? Does Atheism is still a thing or are they more inclined to push socialist ideals mixed with religious beliefs and tradition? We have growing christian extremist growth in Brazil and Brazilian leftists kind of debate what the role of religion should be in a revolutionary agenda in contemporary times.

[@alirezaesm3199]

@@C.Bastard the synthesis of religion and socialism was a big thing in 1979 but after the repression it died out Now basically all the Iranian left is atheist and atheism is a very big thing amongst the youth even outside the left

[@billyalarie929]

What a satisfying point of view to find here. Thank you so much for your thoughts. I loved reading them, loved reading about your perspective.

[@alwaysright3943]

کمونیست کسمشنگ

[@discotequilasunset]

how are you doing now? hoping you’re safe

[@Kevin-qv3ch]

Great work, I loved this! Small note about the title of the game that I haven't seen discussed: the band that did the game's soundtrack, British Sea Power, released an album in 2011 named Valhalla Dancehall. Since that was many years before Disco Elysium came out, and they are two very similar phrases, I imagine they must be related in some way. I think Disco Elysium's music doesn't get talked about enough and might reveal more about the game than people think, though I understand that sort of thing wasn't really in the scope of this video. It's just a very unique score and I hope somebody analyzes it in the future.

[@kybitzed3448]

Hey thanks for writing that! I actually had a section of this video about a couple of the songs in the game, specifically the Karaoke song! I would love to see a video on the score because it really is excellent.

[@kybitzed3448]

Also, I’m really happy that you liked the video! It means a lot! I’ve got two videos brewing up right now: one on Control and another on Tarkovsky.

[@Linkard]

Given that the church quest allowed you to name the dance club "Disco Elysium", I feel like that is insanely relevant. That moment in the game made me think differently of the title and meaning behind it

[@SigmaWhy]

This is really good work. Wishing you success in the future, your videos are too high quality to go unnoticed.

[@kybitzed3448]

The amount of positive praise that this has received really is incredible! Thank you so much for the wonderful comment. I really appreciate it!

[@ct691]

As a complete novice when it comes to philosophy, i just wanna say i think you did a really good job explaining the concepts in this video. I feel inspired to learn more about zizek because of this video, and i think the amount of care you put into this really shows Great work!

[@jonnyfavors7585]

The rpg world needed a game like this to finally grace us with its existence.

[@fuzzyheadhcy7930]

I’ve seen quite a few videos analyzing disco elysium since its release but this is by far the most well researched and thought provoking!! Would love to see more content from u

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks! I’ve got some new content planned out. Fallout 76 Wastelanders, Vampire the Masquerade, a look at the Deus Ex Series, and Metro Exodus! Again, I’m really happy to see the response to this video, it’s incredible!

[@fuzzyheadhcy7930]

Kybitzed omg vampire the masquerade would be amazing

[@GaryWRNY]

Please don't stop making videos. I know its time consuming and frustrating but you got a real talent for this.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that. Life is difficult right now as I’m just getting over an illness and working through grad school. I’m trying to find time now, but trust me, I already have some ideas ready to go. I’ve just got to put the nose to the grind stone and work. But, for real, thank you so much. It’s these types of comments that make me want to jump back into editing right now.

[@GaryWRNY]

@@kybitzed3448 I hope you get back to feeling 100% soon!

[@benzur3503]

Finally I think I have some semblance of understanding what the hell Zizek was talking about thanks to this video! I felt like the Pale and the Phasmid being A: found through optional quests and B:indirect to both the identity of Raphael Ambrosius Costeau’s and the murder made them feel disjointed from the theme of the game but in this framework it fits like a glove to an elephant trunk. And as a blind man I like my hose having a glove. Thank you so much for this essay and I will forever haunt your channel I’m craving for more philosophical analysis. Come when it may. Also it’s ReVAchol not ReCHAvol. Thank you for this thorough and digestible essay 🙏

[@kybitzed3448]

Thank you so much for the kind words! It’s been a hectic couple of months so the video production has slowed down dramatically but I’m working on another that should be coming along soon. Again, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, thank you.

[@eudgenius46]

Stellar analysis mate. This is not the sort of quality one would expect from a channel this small, but it's a very pleasant surprise. Very nice to see Disco getting exposure, it really is a one of a kind experience.

[@kybitzed3448]

Definitely one of the best cRPGs I’ve ever played. I’m glad you enjoyed this video. Hopefully I’ll have some more content out in the coming weeks.

[@sentimentaleel3578]

thank god, an actual analysis of diaco elysium that isn't just a summary.

[@AJCherenkov]

I see that this channel hasn't had activity for a while, along with any websites or social media profiles associated with the name. Still, if the creator ever sees this, know that this was a fantastic piece that introduced me to philosophical concepts I'd never considered before, and I personally wish you good health and the best of luck in whatever current endeavor you've chosen to pursue.

[@kybitzed3448]

Hey there! Thank you for the comment! I really appreciate it! The channel hasn’t had activity as I’m currently working through my first year of grad school so that’s taken a bit of time. But! The summer has just rolled around an I’ve finally gotten a break from classes for the next few months. Many of the projects that I had set for the channel were pushed back or scrapped but with all of the time I have now, I will be able to devote attention back to the channel. Again thank you so much for the comment! Also, I’m genuinely really happy that you learned something from the video. My hope is that I continue to teach philosophical concepts through this medium!

[@AJCherenkov]

@@kybitzed3448 Great to hear! But yeah, stuff like absolute recoil and a deeper explanation of dialectic should be great use next time I chat with my philosopher friend.

[@sofyashubina9132]

A superb analysis, rarely do I make it through an one-hour-something video in one sitting. Best of luck with your future work and looking forward to seeing more from you!

[@kasramohajery4623]

Hegel Lacan Zizek aaand Disco Elysium in one video? I'm hooked.

[@Thevgm01]

Incredible video, definitely worthy of being up there with likes Joseph Anderson and Raycevick. I think you could work a little on your voice audio balancing, but your overall points and additions to the conversation are very thought-provoking and well-researched. I can't believe you only have 33 subscribers. Can't wait to see you at the top!

[@kybitzed3448]

Wow! I can’t tell you how much that means to me! Thank you!

[@DUKEHadToDoItToEm]

Raycevick is dirt, don't listen to this guy, you're better than him

[@StephenYuan]

@@DUKEHadToDoItToEm some of his videos are stronger than others

[@benabraham4086]

For the record Kybitzed is already way better than Joseph “Snore” Anderson

[@ok-li6oe]

I don't usually comment, but I really hope this guy uploads again. I've been unable to get this game out of my head for ages and this really scratched the itch for me. Kitsuragi gang!!

[@slavajuri]

Third KZbinr I've found that fell at the altar of Disco Elysium analysis...Really lovely and interesting video though, thanks so much!

[@Kurvits]

The end reveal of this theory was pretty massive. Where the recoil comes back in. Impressive as hell.

[@darkar138]

I finish disco Elysium two weeks ago, since then, I have listen to every video essay about the game I could. I haven't finish this one yet, but this chanel hasn't post anything since this came out. I just feel like I have had arrive at the finals moments of the party, the kind of moment when the music is playing, but there is almost no one to listen... Thank you in advance for this essay friend, I hope you are doing okay everywhere you are.

[@HeronHero]

I don't see how the resolution of the contradiction you described about the game's critique of communism, is meaningfully different from communism. You say the game argues that the central tension is in recognizing that the world the communists wish to build, one free of contradiction, isn't possible. That real understanding, and liberation, is acknowledging from the start our shared alienation, and from there, full solidarity. But that's what the communists of both the game and USSR thought they were doing, thought they were working towards. I don't see what's being presented as new here, beyond saying that like Harry himself, we will fail, probably many times, before we succeed at creating a new order.

[@-lollipopsunder-7044]

I didnt fail as harry, I actually managed to save the day, figure out the source of the pale, and regain the trust of my compatriots.

[@elenahampton7640]

Great essay! You’ve actually got me interested in the philosophers mentioned in chapter 3 and now I want to read them. Thank you!

[@jame9169]

Really interesting video! I love how deeply you dig into the philosophy of the game whilst keeping it so accessible.

[@keepfeatherinitbrothaaaa]

Fuck man, this was brilliant and brain-wracking. I need to rewatch this after some pause, and then delve into Zizek's works. Great job, nothing else to add. Looking forward to see what becomes of this channel.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thank you! I really appreciate that!

[@kybitzed3448]

Suffice it to say, Zizek’s work is dense. The fireworks of his prose and the freneticism of his references often throw people for a real loop, but when you really start listening to what he’s writing/saying, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience! It takes time and practice. I’ve been reading Zizek for years now, and whenever I return to one of his older books I feel like I learn something new.

[@nasanka7428]

just beat the game and I'm glad I found a longer form video like this that uses Zizek and Hegel, throughout the entire game they kept popping into the frame

[@Rotwelt13]

What an amazing video. You got me hooked through out all of it. Serious congratulations, I expect to see more in the future.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thank you!

[@aradraugfea6755]

You are one of the first videos I've seen that contextualizes the Phasmid, that puts into words how it ties into everything else in the game.

[@amazovian8426]

Simply outstanding work. Great job!

[@gamingmechanoid9927]

Loved the video! As for suggestions what you could tackle next: Night in the Woods - definitely explores the affects of capital on smaller towns and how it twists their communities Prey - Also tackles some interesting questions about choice and what you do with what's been done TO you. Plus, the guys over at Arkane make awesome stuff so more support for their games is always appreciated Transistor - Tackles questions of identity, essence and existence Just some ideas that probably won't be common recommendations. Keep up the good work and good luck with all of your next videos!

[@kybitzed3448]

I’ve played Prey and Transistor and heard great things about Night in the Woods. I’ll add all of these to my list!

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks for the recommendations! And thanks for checking out the video!

[@ASpectrethatishauntingEurope]

Amazing video. I kinda knew that Disco Elysium had some kind of philosophical meaning or subtext but I'm not well-read enough to figure it out myself. Thank you for this video, outstanding work. PS: The microphone quality was good too, I didn't notice you had a cold until you said in the description. At least to my ears, it wasn't too noticeable. But I am b̶l̶i̶n̶d̶ deaf man after all...

[@kybitzed3448]

Haha thank you so much! I tried my best in the editing phase to mitigate the cold-ness, but I just wanted to add it just in case! Also, I appreciate your comment on the video itself. Disco is a great game, and all I can hope is that I did a service to the game!

[@YupiU625]

I have asked myself "Why is this a game?" when I cried delivering news. I've never asked myself that. Thank you for the analysis!

[@WalksandSuch]

Excellent analysis. Good incorporation of Zizek's theory of subjectivity/identity based on a constitutive void, non-coincidence of the self with itself, and as someone who has read a decent amount of zizek for a lay person, you helped me understand zizekian concepts with DE examples lol

[@elwin794]

God damn stellar work mate.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ramblelime]

As someone who's just started out making video essays, this video is impressive as all hell for someone with your channel size. You're killing it, and you're doing all the things I wish I could do as well as you do in this video. I look forward to whatever you do next.

[@gentsaxon9544]

Nice quality and fantastic delivery I’m looking forward to when you grow to the massive size you deserve. Keep up the the great work dude!

[@luccasliuti8098]

Dude, this piece of work is just amazing. If you had released this a bit early when Disco Elysium was still trending i bet you would've gotten a lot more attention, because the sheer quality is just plentiful. Already check out your other videos, and hope to see more of you in the future.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that. I have some works on the back burner but life’s gotten busy. Hopefully I’ll be able to upload something soon. Again, thanks so much for the comments.

[@jesterfrombeyond1776]

This video is a fucking masterpiece and you have an unique talent of seeing and explaing complex themes in games. Your work is greatly aprechiated and opened my eyes to layers in Disco Elysium that I wasn't aware of before.

[@kiara-kh7nh]

I will be proud to be here earlier than six hundred subscribers when you reach 50k, 100k, however far your bullet arcs. Keep up the good work

[@kybitzed3448]

Hey! Thank you so much. Just finished up my graduate semester and am working on two scripts at the moment! Hopefully you all enjoy those! Thank you so much for the support!

[@guysome3263]

I want Zizek to view this.

[@elizavetasamara7277]

I had the same idea! He has Facebook and Twitter accounts, and I think I can send it to him :)

[@kybitzed3448]

Feel free to send the video to whoever you’d like! I’m glad you all liked the video!

[@LucasOe]

Amazing video! I don't have much to say, I really only wanted to comment to support your channel. I've seen someone else say that the video is too long and I wanted to say that I think the video has a good length. I didn't feel bored at all watching it, I finished the video wanting more. Great stuff!

[@kybitzed3448]

Hey, thank you so much! I appreciate that tremendously! I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@TKXapathy]

You should make this available in podcast format! It's perfect for that!

[@jongrubbdesign]

I was mostly sold by ACG, and Zero Punctuation, but now that it's been announced that Disco Elysium's final version will be FULLY VOICED, I will definitely be getting it, when it releases on the Switch.

[@pelgervampireduck]

There are ways to minimize the bloodbath and some of the union guys survive. It's impossible to avoid the confrontation but the results can change. edit: By the way, I don't take the ending as "bad" or a "deus ex machina". It surprised me, but I took it as a "it's all random, nothing matters, it's all a big joke". maybe a bit pessimistic?. The game is a masterpiece, I loved it, it's a fascinating universe. More than the main crime investigation story, I think the setting, the universe and its history are the best parts. The crime investigation is an excuse to present us with a fascinating world and its history.

[@SevillaLorenzo-kd2ef]

Hi! This is late so you’ll probably not see this anymore… but hey, great video! Also, Disco Elysium is a counterpoint to the Latin phrase disco inferno, which means “learning from/through hell/suffering”. Disco is, I believe, the origin of “discover”. Disco elysium therefore is “learning from/through heaven/bliss/the good times”. This then goes back to disco elysium meaning learning from the bliss that communism brought, or learning from the hero’s journey as he ends up in elysium. The disco (as in discotheque) interpretation is definitely something that has been done with the phrase “disco inferno” - which evokes images of disco music so intense it burns

[@masta4088]

Damn never noticed that it's Kim's car noise when you wake up, great video dude!

[@iojgoro]

Nice analysis, man. I hope your channel will blow up soon.

[@misterkefir]

Cool video, interesting analysis. But you know it's Revachol, not "Rechavol" or whatever that is you're saying, right? Cheers.

[@StalinBrosef]

They only say it a trillion times in the game. I don't know how you can walk away from 2 full playthroughs of Disco Elysium without knowing how to say it... I can only scratch my head.

[@DerFroschMitMaske]

Damn i want to play the game again and listen to this again. I'm doing school work (drawing layout for cartoon stuff, so rather brainless work) while listening to this but damn i need to stop and just think about all this. Good job, have my subscription, hope your channel gets some attention!

[@herohenshin4514]

Hello there, fellow animator. Funny how I do the same (although, for a studio job) while listenning to DE critiques. Anyway, this moment of holisticity is fun, hope you are taking care

[@Tauantinti]

I'm about halfway through the video and it is very good - as other people have said, it would be nice to see more content from you. But... come on, it's Revachol, not Rechavol. Not that it actually matters, of course, but I had to double-(and triple-)check it to see if I had gotten the name wrong all this time. Anyway, great stuff!

[@kybitzed3448]

Yeah, another comment mentioned that and it really was a silly mistake on my end! Thanks for pointing it out though! I’m making a conscious effort for the next video to double and triple check every place name haha!

[@Tauantinti]

@@kybitzed3448 Yeah, I saw the other comment right after I posted mine, which made me feel a bit silly for pointing out a second time something so admittedly minor. And I probably should mention that I just finished my first playthrough of the game and I'm very happy to find an in-depth discussion of it such as yours - and maybe I'll have something more meaningful to say about it once I'm finished with your video.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it! And don’t feel silly about posting the comment, again, if anything, it’s solidified the need to be more careful during the VO section. The whole point with this video was to spur an in-depth conversation about the game, so if you feel interest to talk about it, by all means!

[@azaraniichan]

low battery smoke alarm goes *beep*

[@azaraniichan]

also very good analysis

[@CakesHere]

I hope to see more from you. All of your vids are very well made and show the depth of games that I already know are some of the best and most influential games of the past decade. (2033 was a beta for the systems)

[@mesastreatexit]

excellent analysis, just the level of well-read philosophical insight i was jonesing for after playing through the game. thanks for deepening my take away.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks so much. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and learned a little something from it!

[@ellenripley4837]

The studio that made the game was not a video game Studio. It used to be an art collective whose members were RPG players. Maybe that explains why this game feels so different.

[@greendragoncvr]

Incredible work bro thank you very much, you've greatly enhanced my enjoyment of this game and understanding of this school of thought (I am an interested and increasingly sympathetic outsider to it). If you write anything now or in the future please do list where it can be found. This point of "contradiction as the thing itself" (re chapter 3) has captivated me all year, great to explore it in games. Harry is the avatar of "subject as void of failure to be" and his identity accrues, emerges from an interplay of drunken appearence-slurry. The depiction of communism and revolution are also definitely more Zizek than Lukacs (wonder if Z consulted on this game, perhaps in a white suit with an argentine model wife on his arm). I also strongly believe in what you define as analysis, perhaps the most-neglected mode of video game coverage. We have a whole pile of what I hope qualifies as such, intended to tease out the main ontological conceits in video games, including a somewhat Zizekian reading of Dark Souls greendragoncvr.com/the-dramas-of-being. We also lay out our "general ontology" (a heavily modified and synthetic form of neoscholasticism), including this treatment of Zizek's Sex and the Failed Absolute greendragoncvr.com/response-to-zizek. I do believe in some very deep resonance between Zizek's "archetranscendent framework" of "pure antagonism", the Deleuzian concept of "pure difference", and the neoscholastic notion of transcendental aliquid. Cheers and happy new year! -Mike @ GreenDragonCVR

[@kybitzed3448]

Hi there! Thank you so much! It’s great to see that there are other creators out there who are as interested as I am on this convergence between philosophy and video games. Most of my writing recently has been on an academic front (due to my grad school career) but I’ve taken this recent break to finish up the loose ends on my Kentucky Route Zero video. Hope you enjoy that video (should be out by the end of this month). Disco is definitely, if not directly than implicitly, influenced by Z’s works. The great difference between a Lukacsian and Zizekian vision of communism is definitely one of optimism. A Zizekian politics is predicated on failure (be it political, epistemological, or ontological). Also, that piece in Sex and the Failed Absolute has most assuredly piqued my interest. I’ll give that a read today, and I’ll be keeping an eye on your content! Thanks again!

[@greendragoncvr]

@@kybitzed3448 thank you for your response I will closely follow your channel cheers again! 🍻

[@davidm382]

God this was a good video, I only wish I could understand any of it

[@wYeL333]

Subbed to watch you explode in a few months. Also for the 10/10 essays.

[@StalinBrosef]

This is a fantastic analysis, and absolutely deserving of its runtime. Got me thinking about the game in a whole new light, which is great because I love thinking about this game. It's amazing just on how many levels this game functions, be it emotionally, politically, or philosophically. Artistically I don't think there's really been anything like it. It shares similarities with a disparate set of games, but I don't think any of them quite hit the same spot on a venn diagram. It's a very sneaky game, because it hooks people who exist across the spectrum of political beliefs, and subtly exposes them to a very intricate thought exercise. Anyway, really great job. I'm glad I watched it.

[@hwanminjin259]

Amazing ! i always want an in-depth philosphical analysis on video games. I hope you soon to find a work-life balance in this difficutl time.

[@e7san241]

I'm genuinely surprised by the quality of some of the small channels I stumble upon. I was shocked to see you only have 35 subs. Hopefully, some time in the near future I will be equally shocked to see how much your subs increased. Keep up the good work :)

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks! I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate that! Right now, my focus is getting high-quality content out there!

[@randygaming5134]

Hey bro, Congrats on 1k. I was the 1000 sub

[@punggung666]

Quite a lot of people also mistake a review for a synopsis. I usually divide reviews into critique-reviews and synopsis-reviews.

[@user-zp8kj2cl9g]

Where are you, man?

[@buavhlebac2953]

Really high quality content you got here. Hope to see more from you

[@kybitzed3448]

Hey thanks! It’s been a bit since I’ve posted. I have one video in the chamber that should be out before the end of the year! But again, thank you so much!

[@SJKlapecki]

Great work, I'm glad youtube's algorithm saw fit to recommend this video. Can't wait to see what you release in the future, I subscribed. The great thing about Disco Elysium is that its politics are all shrouded in extremely dark humor, and there's a sense of bitter irony everywhere. When I did my communist playthrough, I was laughing at just how absolutely grim some of the writing was - "Yeah, eat the rich! Kill your landlord! Impale everyone who has more than 25 real in their pocket!" and "All he has managed to do is make himself sad. He is starting to suspect Kras Mazov fucked him over personally with his socio-economic theory. It has, however, made him into a very, very smart boy with something like a university degree in Truth. Instead of building Communism, he now builds a precise model of this grotesque, duplicitous world." from Rhetoric's contact before you get Mazovian Socio-Economics and the description of the idea afterwards both are stand-out examples, at least to me. It's a brilliantly written game.

[@karolinakuc4783]

1:01:46 Most funny thing is that the meaning of the name Dolores hides pain in it as "dolor" is a word for pain.

[@qwertyman1511]

you're sub 700. your quality is that of atleast the low thousands. i look forward to seeing your growth :D

[@socracle2774]

51st like and 51st sub. Well done man, this is great. I'd recommend that you give the chapters the the ability to click them in the video, as I've seen some other videos do, I've no idea how to do it though. Alas, I look forwards to your further work, especially for the more philosophical ones :)

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks! I had thought that the chapters in the description box had set that up, but I guess not. I’ll get that all fixed up!

[@ASpectrethatishauntingEurope]

​@@kybitzed3448 I think the reason the chapters don't show up in the youtube video itself is because you typed them in a hh/mm/ss format from the start. I think that if you'd write them as 00:00 - 08:27 and so on they'd function correctly. KZbin is weird and only picks up on the chapters if you specifically type 00:00.

[@kybitzed3448]

@@ASpectrethatishauntingEurope Just added them! Thanks for the heads-up. I'm not sure how I did it last time, but I just got it up.

[@ilushan1]

Damn you're awesome! I am looking forward to saying "I was his 700th subscriber")

[@silassequeira5813]

Man, I loved the video, I really wished you could make more like these, felt sad that you don't produce videos anymore :(

[@kybitzed3448]

Sadly, it’s been difficult to balance my work with the channel. I have a project that I’ve been working on for some time for the channel but it’s difficult to find time to work on it. Hopefully you’ll get some new content soon, and all I can hope is that it is of the same level of quality. The channel is not dead, but once I’m able to complete the balancing act, I will definitely be back. Sooner rather than later. Thank you so much for this comment. I greatly appreciate it!

[@silassequeira5813]

@@kybitzed3448 It´s really great to see that this channel isn't dead, Im gonna be waiting for your next video :D

[@icewindofchange]

Planescape and Disco dont just blow your mind, they are a mind minefield

[@haditnotbeen]

amazing analysis - hope to see more vids from you.

[@santiagogallego8695]

All of the skills are great but when all of them are compromised its volition who always has our back.

[@kybitzed3448]

Volition never fails.

[@greensleevez]

I swear to God, my mental head canon is that Elijah Wood is the narrator of the video... The voice's character and timbre is so close to my ears.

[@Neuroticmancer]

Excellent analysis. You might be interested in my undergrad dissertation, which compares the work of Marxist theatre practitioners to role playing in games. Great work all round man

[@kybitzed3448]

That sounds fascinating. I’d love to read that if you have that available!

[@KraftBrotHD]

Bertolt Brecht meets Vidya Games? I also would love to read that

[@TheJayman213]

Woah, great analysis! Does this mean that we can't simply overcome capitalism's contradiction without first worrying about which contradiction should take its place? I'm not well read but these concepts of the inherent contradictory and/or differentiating nature of existence sound similar to things I've heard in (psychoanalytical) post-anarchism, Systems Theory and Deleuze's Nietzsche.

[@яненавижукитов]

Отличное видео, жаль, что я не знаю языка достаточно хорошо, но суть понял) I subscribed, keep up the good work!

[@Fraserhansen]

It appears I have some reading to do....ALSO, AMAZING VIDEO please more of this

[@albertosanchez6343]

Hey, just saw the video, and the end frame said you take questions, so I figured I'd comment. I am going to be perfectly honest with you, I don't feel I could grasp well enough the philosophical concepts explained in the video. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a great video and find said ideas to be really interesting, specially Zizek's approach to social/economic systems. However, I always hit the same wall with this, "systems philosophy" (for lack of a better term, sorry, english is not my fist language). Let me try to explain. I've got a degree in finance and have studied plenty on my own about capitalism, comunnism etc from a less abstract, much more focused in the actual workings of the economy perspective. And so, I find myself at a point were, when I try to read authors like Marx, I find that it deals with very basic concepts that I already got covered and uses a basic language so as to be easily understood by people with far less education. But when I try to read things that look far more interesting and abstract, like the philosophy talked about in this video, I just lack the knowledge needed to read and properly understand this works. So, and I apologise for the weird rambling, as I said it is hard for me to express this in english, my question would be, which path can someone with a very basic knowledge of philosophy but a good grasp of the economic concepts involved follow to be able to truly understand the ideas presented in this video? Thank you for your answer, and as I said, great work and I'll keep an eye out for future projects.

[@kybitzed3448]

Hey there! So, this is an excellent question. There’s some great material that I would recommend starting off with to become a little more familiar with both Lacan and Hegel (who are the two central theorists that one should be familiar with when dealing with Zizek). I usually recommend those interested to read two books by Professor Todd McGowan: Capitalism and Desire / Emancipation After Hegel. Capitalism and Desire is an excellent text for grasping how Lacan and psychoanalysis can be used in a critique of capitalism. Emancipation After Hegel is a broader overview of the Hegelian system. Both of these texts are excellent, and I hope they help! If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!

[@kybitzed3448]

Again, I also want to apologize if I was unable to write these concepts out as clearly as possible. It’s a learning process for me as well, and I hope that with each video I am able to work through these thoughts and theories with you guys in a much more concise fashion. Please, if you have questions, feel free to send them over. At the end of the day, this channel is for people to learn philosophy through a unique medium. For me, that means that it doesn’t stop at simply making the video, but engaging in the active process of learning through comments and emails. And please, no need to apologize for the rambling, this is all really dense material and we all have to start somewhere!

[@Slewedleo]

Fantastic video my man. I hope u do more

[@Xander77Ru]

I'll hopefully have more pertinent things to say once I'm done watching the video, but I have to point out - it's "Revachol". Which wouldn't be that big a deal if there wasn't a whole conversation with the fascist character about proper pronunciation (and loading screen tips).

[@kybitzed3448]

Ha! Silly mistake on my end! Maybe I should’ve listened to Measurehead just enough to figure out how to say Revachol.

[@Xander77Ru]

@@kybitzed3448 Having watched the video twice over... it's not very good. And (no offense) kinda self-importantly up its own ass about very 101 level surface reading. Noting the allusions that the game outright throws at the player, summarizing the thesis of each theme, should be the starting point of a proper critique, not the (eventual, highly meandering) result. I probably should have known the moment you cited Joseph Anderson - a reviewer who cargo cults long videos without really understanding that taking longer to convey your very basic insight (by drawing out and reiterating the the point for far longer than is in any way warranted) doesn't make it any more interesting or complex. Or Renegade Cut, who copy pasted a ready-made full hour rant about police brutality into a video about a game that is barely even tangential to his point, with zero self-awareness. Had you divided this video into 3-4 shorter parts, each addressing a specific theme, you probably could have more coherently conveyed the basic point of each AND provided some for antithesis \ synthesis.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks for the input. Honestly, I really appreciate it. Structurally, it was a very difficult video to put together, and I worked through the script multiple times. Zizek is a hard thinker to apply towards any analysis, and I saw jokingly, people saying that Zizek should play through Disco. I thought that was an interesting claim and I wanted to pursue that idea as it related to Zizek’s philosophical output. As far as a surface reading, you very well might be right on that. But, again, the main focus for me was seeing how the game uses unique philosophical twists to re-orient and reconsider a political movement. Watching it now, it definitely could have been tighter, and I do apologize if you felt like you had wasted your time on it.

[@vadimkishko9563]

@@kybitzed3448 IMHO, the video is fine. Even if it could be more "tight" or in-depth, it made some good points, particularly about Zizek, who isn't well known.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks so much. I definitely appreciate the critiques though, these are my first forays into this type of work so any type of critique is incredibly welcome. But, also, I really appreciate you saying that you enjoyed it.

[@mateuszp.6109]

Great video but I can't focus on your voice with this sick guitar riff from end credits song in the background

[@fyviane]

i watched the video for the second time now, thank you.

[@laffyman8218]

Oh man dude I've seen so many people in various playthroughs or Reddit threads call Disco Elysium an "adventure" game rather than an RPG game. I don't want to sound like a pedantic asshole so I let it slide but it's more pure of an RPG than any game released in the past five years at least, and maybe more RPG than any game released since Planescape: Torment, but again I don't want to be that asshole so I let it slide. Your puritanical spiel about RPGs in the Chapter I section, man, vindication. Really like the video btw hope you blow up.

[@kybitzed3448]

Ha! Thank you so much! It’s funny, that section was almost cut out from the video because I thought it was too much but I’m glad it worked! The term RPG has often been thrown around and misunderstood but I come from a tabletop RPG background with a real love for the Role Playing aspect. Disco just scratched that itch in a way that no game really has. Again, thank you so much for the comment!

[@vulpes5809]

As others have said, this is probably the most thoroughly researched analysis of Disco Elysium on KZbin. Great job, and I'm excited to see your future output.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thank you so much!

[@bigred6550]

Why am I just now discovering this...

[@BL4CKlllM4MB4]

Any chance for more videos of yours?

[@claracastilhooliveira3793]

Best analysis of Disco Elysium

[@Pakanahymni]

Really cool video. Subscribed, even if you called the city Rechavol.

[@nagasonica_]

I hope you add eng sub. Btw ASTONISHING video

[@kybitzed3448]

I hadn’t even considered the English subs but I can definitely work on that! Also, thank you!

[@nagasonica_]

@@kybitzed3448 yeah, my english is good but having sub will totally help following video like this. I know, writing sub is a pain in the ass but would make the video more fluid for non-english people like me. Btw did you saw The Pervert's guide to ideology?

[@kybitzed3448]

Of course! Anything to help people get the content. I can get started on that once I’ve finished my current video project. And yes! I have seen the Pervert’s Guide to Cinema/Ideology. They’re incredible introductions to Zizek’s work! Have you seen it?

[@nagasonica_]

@@kybitzed3448 yeess, like 4 times. They put it on Prime (pure ideology!) and I'm re-watching it right now. Also, I have to watch the two videos about Metro. Loved the games and the books.

[@TonySopranoGabagool42069]

1 hour and 18 mins of fire alarm low battery warning

[@Silrodir]

I can't fully put in to word why, but your statements in this analysis gave me a hopefull feeling for the future. It reminds me that the nostalgic dream we've been living in wil end and that once we've confronted the 20th century it can finally die. Thank you so much for this great video!

[@kybitzed3448]

I’m glad that you got that feeling from it! And I’m happy that you enjoyed the video! For me, that is the core of Zizekian philosophy. It’s only once we properly grapple with and contend with the 20th century that we can move forward. It’s actually one of my favorite Zizekian aphorisms (this is paraphrasing): the future is foreclosed, but the past is open to us. That’s the idea that I continually try to touch upon here: we are pre-determined but we are the ones who determine.

[@Silrodir]

I’ve noticed that this theme and the one about the incomplete subject keep returning within the best works of fiction and art in the last few years. Namely Bojack Horseman and Pathologic. In BjH the titular main character is unable to be happy because he can’t reconcile between his desire of being a complete character (as in fictional) with a defined arc and people in “reality” being a combination of desperates with a journy which is only loosely visible after events have transpired, also pulling in the death drive thematically. This desire to be complete is the prayed upon and reinforced by capital trough the entertainment industry which as in the show he starred in offers people a fantasy of a complete life with and being a complete person. He himself even knows and acknowledges this but is unable to break free from this ideologie maybe up until the end and if he really does remains uncertain. Same goes for works like Pathologic. Am sorry for my ramelings but I just find it so interesting that a lot of contemporary works are tackling this kind of subject matter. I also wanted to point out that a lot of the artwork in the game has faces with smudges on them like an unclear reflection or like something is missing. Just as in the sense that we like in the poem can not fully see yourself or others. Am sorry for rambling but, you’ve just earned yourself a subscriber. I never thought someone as good if not even better than Noah Caldwell Gervais would come along.

[@kybitzed3448]

Thanks so much! The comparison to Caldwell-Gervais is incredibly appreciated. He’s my favorite KZbin essayist, bar none. Now, to your point on this notion of wholeness, you are absolutely correct. A lot of contemporary works are focused on notions of wholeness and completeness. Capital intrinsically prays upon this desire for unity and the feeling of completeness (look no further than the romance film, “you complete me.”) These all function as varying shades and degrees of ideological trappings. The psychoanalytic/Hegelian point is precisely that reality itself is incomplete, contains irresolvable and irreducible points of tension and contradiction, which is why are constantly striving to fill these holes. We simply presuppose wholeness (this is a reading of the Mirror Stage, which supposed that we are simply balls of contingent responses that, upon looking in the mirror, form a notion of a whole subject, even though this wholeness is false and imaginary). You’ve also touched upon the artwork in Disco, which is incredible. I recommend reading Lacan’s interpretation of a painting called the Ambassadors. It’s a very famous painting, but it plays upon this idea of smudges and the objet a. I would really recommend some psychoanalytic texts if you’re interested in exploring these ideas further. I usually tell people who want to get into this stuff to look at The Lacanian Subject by Bruce Fink and then work from there. Zizek is my main touchstone, but even begin working through him you have to work through a lot of extra material.

[@kybitzed3448]

Also, no need to apologize for rambling! Working through this type of material just sends you on tangents. It’s just what happens!

[@Silrodir]

@@kybitzed3448 Do you have any new videos in the works? I really love the three you made up until now and found them to be very informative.

[@renaigh]

Disco Elysium is a TTRPG for Social Outcasts

[@nolo.contendere]

Thumbs up for the smoke detector needing a battery!

[@kybitzed3448]

Haha nice catch!

[@DrawnByDandy]

Really enjoyed this

[@lf4434]

That's what I was looking for!

[@kybitzed3448]

Awesome! Thank you!